Chapter Forty-Two: The Aristocratic Clan’s Conspiracy

Shang Yang’s reforms had indeed made the State of Qin powerful, yet... the harsh high-pressure policies had alienated the hearts of the people.

The only thing that managed to rally the fighting spirit of the kin was the later military meritocracy system.

Consequently, after Ying Zheng swept across the six states, the flaws quickly surfaced. Amidst the severe and harsh laws of Qin, internal contradictions continuously escalated, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty in its second generation.

With this in mind, Ying Zheng decided it was necessary to have a chat with Shang Yang and slightly modify the overly punitive policies within the reforms.

As Shang Yang finished proclaiming the "Cultivation of Wasteland Edict," Ying Qinliang looked toward Gan Long and said in a deep voice:

"The Senior Grandee has toiled tirelessly for Qin and rendered distinguished service. In my view, Grandee Gan should be elevated to the title of Grand Tutor Gan."

"As for the vacant post of Senior Grandee... let it be given to Bai Ying. Jing Jian!"

Hearing Ying Qinliang call his name, Jing Jian hurriedly stepped forward.

Ying Qinliang said indifferently: "Go and decree that Bai Ying shall enter the court as an official..."

"Understood!" Jing Jian replied respectfully.

Seeing this, Ying Zheng could not help but sigh inwardly. With military power in hand, one's backbone certainly stood much straighter!

However, the influence of the old aristocracy could not be directly suppressed by brute force; their power could only be eroded and divided gradually.

Ying Qinliang understood this profoundly. He would not drive the old aristocracy to absolute desperation all at once.

The backlash from the old aristocracy was something he could not easily withstand either.

Both sides tested each other, stopping just short of a full break...

Ying Qinliang made his move first, and the counter-move from the old aristocracy would soon follow.

Gan Long appeared to have been promoted, yet just like himself, it was a promotion in name only while actually stripping him of real power.

Though unwilling in his heart, Gan Long had no alternative and could only accept the mandate with a resigned acknowledgment.

"Dismiss the court!"

In high spirits, Ying Qinliang waved his hand and adjourned the court.

Led by Gan Long, the officials of the old aristocracy departed with dark and resentful expressions.

Ying Zheng was also about to leave when he was held back by Shang Yang.

"What is it?"

Ying Zheng turned around and looked at Shang Yang in puzzlement.

Shang Yang looked somewhat helpless: "Sir, the credibility of the Qin leadership among the people is currently insufficient. I fear it will be very difficult to implement the Cultivation of Wasteland Edict!"

Indeed, due to the oppression by the old aristocracy, the common people of Qin held no favorable impression of the current Qin leadership.

Naturally, they did not believe in the so-called reforms either.

The corners of Ying Zheng’s mouth twitched slightly; in history, such an event had indeed occurred.

Yet Shang Yang would ultimately use the shifting of the log to establish trust and win back the credibility of the Qin leadership.

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng spoke up: "If credibility is lacking, why not figure out a way to establish that trust once again?"

Shang Yang shook his head helplessly and said: "Things are not as simple as Sir thinks! Money lost can be earned back, but once trust is lost, it can never be recovered."

Hearing this, Ying Zheng heavily patted Shang Yang on the shoulder: "Trust is prestige; it is not earned, it is established."

With these words, Ying Zheng gave Shang Yang a profound look and then turned and strode away.

***

Establish... trust?

Listening to Ying Zheng’s words, Shang Yang felt a vague sense that he had grasped something crucial.

Establishing trust... establishing authority... building credibility...

Shang Yang’s gaze fell upon two huge wooden pillars in the Yueyang Palace, and in an instant, a flash of complete understanding struck him.

That’s right... the previous credibility was gone, so why couldn't he build a brand-new credibility right in the hearts of the people?

Thus, the historically renowned event of "shifting the log to establish trust" was staged at the South Gate of Yueyang City...

Immediately following that, the "Cultivation of Wasteland Edict" spread rapidly throughout the entire State of Qin.

As the saying goes, some rejoiced while others sorrowed. In Gan Long’s mansion:

The officials of the old aristocracy gathered together, venting their anger and cursing Ying Qinliang.

"Teacher, what should we do now?!"

Du Zhi paced back and forth with an anxious expression.

"That damned Shang Yang, he is pushing our aristocratic clan toward absolute ruin!"

The other aristocratic officials chimed in anxiously: "Grand Tutor, you must give us an idea!"

Hearing this, Gan Long let out a cold snort: "You all call me Grand Tutor, but what possible method do I have?"

"The reforms are a brilliant policy for strengthening Qin!"

"You are not permitted to openly oppose the reforms..." Gan Long warned the crowd.

However, Du Zhi sneered coldly: "Teacher, you truly have grown old! You no longer possess the sharp edge of years past!"

"Ying Qinliang's support for this so-called reform is, to put it bluntly, aimed directly at us!"

"As the head of the aristocracy, you refuse to stand up for us. Since you won't stand up for us, we will do it ourselves!"

With that, Du Zhi looked around at the assembled aristocratic officials.

"We'll do it ourselves! We'll do it ourselves!"

The aristocratic officials shouted in unison.

Seeing this, Gan Long let out a helpless sigh: "So be it... This old man is indeed old. Do as you please..."

Having spoken, Gan Long turned and walked into the inner rooms, paying them no further mind.

Gan Long knew very well that these aristocratic officials were currently swept up in anger, and saying anything right now would be useless. He simply chose to wash his hands of the matter.

The aristocratic officials swore a collective oath and resolved to resist the reforms.

Meanwhile, directly across the street, Ying Zheng had returned to his residence. The moment he stepped through the gates, his blood pressure instantly skyrocketed.

For sitting inside his own courtyard was a resentful woman—none other than Princess Ying Shu.

"Ancestors preserve me! I beg of you, my ancestor, can you please stop hounding me?"

Looking at Ying Shu, Ying Zheng felt completely miserable.

"Hmph... Who told you not to come and see me for two whole years?"

Ying Shu’s gaze looked like she was staring at an unfaithful and heartless scoundrel.

***

Ying Zheng sighed helplessly. He truly did not want to deal with women...

Or rather, it wasn't so much that he didn't want to, as it was what Wang Xu had once told him up on the mountain.

The mortal world is full of bitterness, and one walks it alone; he advised him to steer clear of women as much as possible for his own good.

While Ying Zheng had sneered at this advice initially, once he arrived in Qin and learned that the disheveled old man was actually Guiguzi Wang Xu—

He had kept those words deeply engraved in his heart ever since. Wang Xu’s prophecies had a terrifying habit of coming true!

Yet, what left Ying Zheng speechless was that while he sought no women, women kept seeking him out.

Take this Princess Ying Shu for instance; she was simply like an inescapable ghost haunting his steps.

"I’ve been busy with matters. Wasn't I just lacking the time?"

Ying Zheng had no choice but to brace himself and offer an explanation.

"Do you know? When you went off to the State of魏 alone, I was worried sick."

"When I learned you had returned from Wei, I waited outside your mansion for a full day and a night, until the next day when I found out you had ventured deep into Qin territory."

"Ever since then, I’ve come here to wait for you every single day, waiting for two whole years."

Ying Shu accused him with a wronged expression, tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes.

Ying Zheng was stunned upon hearing this, momentarily not knowing what to say.

Was he... really that important?

After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out: "Princess, please wait a moment. I shall prepare a grand feast to make amends to the Princess."

With that, Ying Zheng bolted headfirst into the kitchen.

After all, the ultimate way to handle a woman was none other than delicious food...

Before long, rich and savory aromas filled Ying Zheng’s courtyard, wafting over and tempting even the old man Gan Long next door.

Peeking his head out at the entrance and seeing Ying Shu sitting inside, Gan Long paused in his tracks.

Sensibly swallowing his saliva, he turned around and headed back inside. Young people courting each other—what business did an old man have meddling in that?

"It smells so good... What is this?!"

Looking at the two plates of delicacies Ying Zheng had served, Ying Shu could not help but swallow hard.

Even inside the Yueyang Palace, there were no culinary creations that smelled this enticing.

"This is deep-fried mutton, and this is a fruit platter," Ying Zheng patiently explained.

It was a pity that spices like cumin were not yet available, so the deep-fried mutton was simply seasoned with refined salt.

As for the fruit platter, it was composed of five varieties: peaches, plums, apricots, pears, and nats (a fruit similar to apples).

There was no sugarcane in the north, so Ying Zheng had no choice but to sprinkle some "yi" over them.

The so-called "yi" was simply maltose syrup.